Accrington push Watford all the way

Lucky Watford scraped into the Carling Cup third round after a 6-5 penalty shoot-out victory over Coca-Cola League Two club Accrington Stanley after the game had ended goalless.

Manager Adrian Boothroyd's decision to field a completely different starting XI from the one that began Saturday's goalless draw with Aston Villa did not produce the intended results as Stanley came desperately close to causing an upset.

But Boothroyd's luck held as, after five successful kicks each, Peter Cavanagh and Paul Mullin missed for Accrington, allowing Anthony McNamee to fire in the winning kick after James Chambers had also missed for Watford.

Watford handed full debuts to defender Jordan Parkes and forwards Albert Jarrett and Tamas Priskin.

Accrington were playing a top-flight side for the first time since 1961, and they started brightly.

They almost scored early but top scorer Gary Roberts fired well over from a good position on the edge of the penalty area.

Watford then went close through Jarrett and Matthew Spring, who was captain on the night.

But Accrington - who have won their last two matches in Coca-Cola League Two - were undaunted, and their left-winger Sean Doherty was causing the home defence plenty of problems.

Indeed, the visitors thought they had taken the lead when Ian Craney's left-wing corner deceived goalkeeper Richard Lee and looped into the net, but the goal was ruled out for an apparent push on Lee.

John Coleman's men continued to take the game to a Watford side struggling to familiarise themselves with one another, and Roberts should have done better with a close-range header after being picked out by Andrew Todd's right-wing delivery.

The pattern remained the same in the second period, and Watford substitute Sheku Kamara - on his debut - had to make a fine block shortly after coming on to deny Craney's point-blank effort in the 59th minute.

But the home team almost took the lead twice in the 62nd minute, first when Ian Dunbavin pushed Jarrett's rising shot from 25 yards around the post, and then when Adrian Mariappa headed over the resulting corner from McNamee.

Roberts, who had looked lively all night for Accrington, saw his angled drive deflected just over the bar in the 77th minute, and substitute Romauld Boco's fierce low drive was pushed around the post four minutes later to ensure extra-time.

Worryingly for Boothroyd, midfielder Al Bangura was carried off in the 105th minute after falling awkwardly following a midfield tussle as the match moved inexorably towards a penalty shoot-out.

For the shoot-out, Stanley brought on reserve goalkeeper Rob Elliot and both teams were successful with their first five kicks, but Accrington's nerve failed them in the end and McNamee was able to secure a fortunate win.